Discover Knee Anatomy and Maladies

Interact with the knee anatomy and visually explore a patient’s right knee. Learn more about healthy knee terms, common ailments and injuries. Navigate and access anatomical terms and maladies by clicking on the labels.

Torn LCL

Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. Located on the outside of the knee, the LCL connects the bottom of the thigh bone (femur) to the top of the fibula, the smaller bone in the lower leg. The lateral collateral ligament stabilizes the outside of the knee by preventing the knee from bending outwards.

LCL injury occurs when force on the inside of knee causes excessive stress on the outside of the joint, causing the ligaments to stretch and sometimes tear.